Review

Philip Swanson
Variations on Veni Creator Spiritus:

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Publisher: Swanson Music
Date of Publication: 1997
URL: http://www.swansonmusic.com

Organ score and solo part

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with organ

Dr. Swanson is Professor of Music at Salem State University in Salem, MA, where he teaches music theory, composition, piano, and trombone. He is also Music Director of the First Congregational Church of Rockport. He has enjoyed an active and varied career both as a classical and jazz trombonist as well as a pianist and organist. His recordings on the MSR Classics label include albums for solo piano, small jazz ensemble (trombone, bass & guitar), and solo trombone with organ. He has also performed and recorded with larger ensembles, including John Williams and the Boston Pops, Boston Cecilia, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. As a composer Dr. Swanson has composed and published numerous works for various instrumental and vocal ensembles. 

Veni Creator Spiritus (Come, Creator Spirit) is a hymn in the Roman Catholic rite, historically sung at Vespers and Pentecost. The melody is associated with the ancient hymn Hic est dies versus Dei. Numerous composers have used this melody as a basis of their compositions, including Dunstable, Festa, Palestrina, J.S. Bach, and Durufle. 

Swanson’s Variations on Veni Creator Spiritus consists of an initial presentation of the hymn, followed by a series of four diverse and interesting variations. The work is dedicated to the memory of his father Sigurd, who was for many years a trombone instructor at the National Music Camp at Interlochen. The piece is traditionally tonal and features, in the trombone part, an interesting and idiomatic mixture of lyrical and technical writing. Its length (30+ minutes) might limit performance opportunities. Playing just the hymn (c. four minutes) would work well both in recitals and worship services. While its technical/tonal challenges are within range of a fine undergraduate level trombonist, an effective performance requires an understanding and sensitive musician. The organ part is quite difficult. This is a wonderful addition to the trombone/organ repertoire. 

It is published by JW Pepper, and there is a recording available: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KroGw6Z2jmHoeDr0GQPx8/discography/all